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Is sound card drivers essential to install?

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Um, you might be thinking it's a stupid question :laugh:
 
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If the sound is working without them, I suppose they aren't essential, but they certainly would help if you want any control whatsoever, and guaranteed stability.
 
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And if you've gone as far as to install a sound card one assumes sound quality might be an issue for you so always update it as well.
 
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but they certainly would help if you want any control whatsoever...

I always stuck with windows default until i damaged the headphones socket and needed to re route my inputs so +1
 
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From my experience it depends. The onboard sound on my laptop is completely useless without the drivers- no exaggeration there. I have X Fi Go Pro USB soundcard - that works without drivers out of the box, but I loose almost all benefits if I don't install them. Same thing with my X-fi music on the desktop PC. I'd say if you have sound that's an excellent start, but if you can find sound drivers go for it.
 
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Thanks lads. While I'm here, I'm wondering if motherboard drivers are essential? All I've ever installed are GPU drivers. :/
 
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sound card driver may offer you better handling than stock from os. but if you use onboard soundcard i guess its same, except you use better or dedicated soundcard
 
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